Author Mark Johnston

While I'd initially planned on sticking around Berlin for eight whole days, I soon decided to explore elsewhere in Germany and give my hosts their kitchen floor back—where I was sleeping and recovering from...

Mark spent a week in Germany where he explored Berlin, the city of Dresden and Saxon Switzerland National Park. Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark III. Berlin, Germany Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin,...

All I wanted was some late dinner and some Advil. Suddenly there were glamorous, high-heeled women stepping out of the shadows on the side walk and acting real friendly—but in German, so I didn’t...

Norway has a reputation of being one of the most expensive countries in the world. When we wanted to pay a visit to Lofoten Islands in the northern remote part of Norway, it was difficult to make the decision...

While staying with friends in Berlin, I decided to escape the city for a couple of days, (as it was my hosts' wedding anniversary that same week). After a little research online, I caught a bus to Dresden and...

Britnee and I parted ways in Bodo, Norway, one evening as she flew onto Belgium and I awaited my flight to Berlin the following day. So I settled in at the Bodo Hostel for a comfortable stay while my poor wife...

It took three flights and then a three hour ferry ride from Bodø to Moskenes, but it was well worth the trip to visit Lofoten in northern Norway. Despite some wet and cloudy weather, we enjoyed our days...

Riding the ferry back to Bodø from Moskenes, I slumped in my chair and stared out at the grey sea and clouds ahead of us. My body felt like jelly and all I could think was how grateful I was for the...

We arrived at the Bananas Hostel tired and weary after canceling our other disappointing accommodation in Moscow. Right on our arrival we were happy to be there and glad to have made the switch. This place...

Well it sure sounded nice, but our stay at the Russian Dream Hotel in Moscow turned into a nightmare that we're still trying to sort out. Certain necessities, (like air conditioning when it's crazy hot...

Time well spent visiting friends in Helsinki and family in Tampere, Finland. Lots of good food, fishing, boating, relaxing and sauna... plus roller coasters at Särkänniemi. Photos taken with a Canon 5D...

We hadn't even reached the Russia-Finland border and I was already enjoying my first Karelian pie. Riding the train from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki, I was finally entering familiar territory and would soon...

During our short stay in Saint Petersburg, Russia, we visited the Hermitage, (Winter Palace), Peter and Paul Fortress, Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, the flea market at Udelnaya and took a lovely,...